I'm closing down the blog, folks. I'm clearly pretty terrible at keeping up with it. I would have loved to make Hal a timeline and write him letters, and I would be lying if I blamed "lack of time." Sadly, I am finding that everytime I think of blogging, I fear I would chronicle the challenges and not be able to give full glory to his small advances. Things that are big steps for us (eating a hot dog, smiling at a game that doesn't involve Thomas on TV, calling Grandma by an actual name), are day to day normal for other kids, and I don't feel like setting Hal up for comparison. Blogging about developmental problems we are facing may make me feel better but trivialize the hardship for Hal.
When I started the blog I figured it would be fun to write humorous posts regarding potty training or finger painting or that time he got poop/mud/applesauce on the carpet/face/dog. I would post smiling pictures and we'd look fabulous. (ok, this was mostly delusional) But these things are not Hal. And, in the end, learning how to greet and smile when a parent walks in the door from work (not something we've mastered) or answer to his name, etc... are updates too mundane to read and too hard to write.
So I thought I'd create an official end to this blog- maybe at some point I'll pick up where I left off with simple pictures, without text. If you'd like to hear how therapy goes or about Hal's upcoming evaluation with neurology (Aug 24- yes this is a ridiculous wait time for an eval), feel free to call! But I'll see you on facebook anyway. Besides, I don't even have our dog Fergus in the byline on this blog! And with new baby coming to shake things up, there is no way I would ever have done a good enough job blogging to merit your time spent reading. Meanwhile I selfishly want everyone else to keep blogging for my enjoyment! Thanks for reading. Love from Hart house.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Long time, no blog...
Howdy!
Its been a very long time since I've blogged and I felt like abandoning the blog (which was more of a monthly update anyway), but may restart with more vigor. The main reason I wanted to write is to explain, in a non-facebook update sort of way, what has been going on with Hal, for any interested parties (ok, I know there are 2 of you out there).
It became a bit tedious to blog, or post updates on facebook about Hal because, well, he stopped doing interesting things. Any parent compares his or her child to others, but as a pediatrician, I do this all *expletive?* day. It became difficult to see the 12 month or 15 month old, discuss development, and experience interactions with toddlers which were impossible with my own toddler.
Hal was tricky during the first year, but barely made his milestones on time. Not an easy smiler and rare laugher, played with most of the same toys and, at times, enjoyed hamming it up, but I found myself thinking he was a "strange duck" more and more. Played with trains for hours by himself, never picked up sign language or pointing, ran away without regard for my whereabouts. In professional terms- no joint attention, no cognitive or imaginary play, no initiation of communication.
And after losing the few words he had and not expressing any words from months 11-18, we decided something was up. Needless to say, I had no interest in chronicling simply how picky an eater Hal is, or how he walks really well, when he was clearly losing ground compared to the toddler friends singing songs, saying cute things, making animal noises. The good and bad part of having a mother and grandfather who are pediatricians and a grandmother who teaches special ed is that you go for speech therapy at 18 months instead of 2/2.5 years.
The speech therapist was very concerned and giving me "he's got autism" code. And it was a wake up call. He then had an occupational therapy evaluation and is currently doing both therapies, thanks to his Marmie who takes him to most sesssions. Hal is on the list for a full developmental eval with Dr. Evans which may happen in early April. After that visit, he might be given a diagnosis, or may wait for further testing.
We've spent several weeks grieving a bit- over the last several months I'd lost the initiative to even introduce new vegetables or sing new songs because it seemed unimportant when Hal couldn't say "mama" or "dada" even at 18 months.
The reason I write now is to talk about the progress he's made. Its AMAZING. After the evaluation, I (and Marmie!) read multiple practical language/autism spectrum books and they changed how we related with him, how we talked to him and played with him. They pushed us into his world and motivated us to work harder relating to him, forcing him to take turns, to find a way to communicate his needs. He also started going to therapy.
Mostly, however, I think he just grew and somehow divine intervention, Hal growing up, and maybe a little bit more attention in the right way have made a huge difference in only a few months. But really, I thank God, because I'm not sure why things have changed, and I hope the changes are lasting. It is as if we had an alien creature who communicated with his own kind (yes, one day I worried he was displaying early psychosis because of the babbling to nothing and complete ignoring real people) and only looked at me if he needed sustenance. And now he has decided to join our species and be a human toddler.
Hal has gone from ~0 words to 30+ in weeks. Every day brings new surprises- finally looking for me, asking for things he needs, initiating play. His obsession with letters and numbers continues, but now he yells the letters to please me, instead of just lining them up and looking at flashcards by himself for long periods of time. Parenting is a whole new experience with a child who wants to communicate, even when he can't and becomes frustrated. What fun! I see parents in my office with a loud, emotive child and think they are so spoiled by the attention! I feel so grateful for every little thing Hal does, and I know he is a whole world easier than a child with severe autism or PDD or physical disability. Those parents are incredible. I'm not sure he will end up with a diagnosis at this point, or if he will fall on the autism spectrum or PDD.
Anyway, just wanted to update on the blog- its been an interesting few months, especially the last few weeks!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
oh, the luxury!
As usual, I upload everything backwards. And pictures before text. This is the crew saying farewell. The service was amazing.
Pretty silly.
The crazy crowd off the catamaran.
Giant stiltwalkers! A must- have at every happy hour.
At the ruins
Fairmont Mayakoba!! Our room was on the lagoon across from the marsh and golf course and amazing to wake up to watch the birds and fish in the lagoon.
Pretty silly.
The crazy crowd off the catamaran.
Giant stiltwalkers! A must- have at every happy hour.
At the ruins
Fairmont Mayakoba!! Our room was on the lagoon across from the marsh and golf course and amazing to wake up to watch the birds and fish in the lagoon.
I owe a huge thanks to Marmie and Poppy who watched Hal for 4 days!!!
-pause for thanksgiving and praise-
While Hal took in the sights of Northpark, Eric and I were at the Fairmont Mayakoba resort in Riviera Maya courtesy of the McKinsey retreat.
653 Folks attended, spouses and workers- a MAJOR event! Four days of amazing vacation- we saw ruins, snorkled, sat on the beach, etc... The best part for me was getting to talk to lots of McKinsey spouses. These women (most are women) are amazing, kind, and interesting- doing fascinating things, and most are mothers who understand the ins and outs of having a traveling spouse. The dinners were, as per McKinsey standards, colorful events with good food and unexpected surprises. Eg: The last night there were fireworks at the beach (which we watched from our balcony in our room because we are lame and tired and wanted to drink tea).
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Labor Day in Ruidoso
We spent a last-minute mini vacation in Ruidoso, and it was wonderful. Leaving the soaring heat of Texas, we traveled to low 70s, rain one whole day with temps in 60s, 78 in the sun. The woods around the cabin are beautiful, and far more green than our last visit in May. Hal bear had a brilliant time and we attempted hiking daily, although a few days were tough because of rain and slick trails or baby giving us grief/falling asleep immediately.
Monjeau lookout- 10K feet. Sorry its a bit dark. As usual, we forgot a camera and only brought our phones. Hopeless!
Hiking for long time, we are.
In front of the cabin
Firetrucks on the deck!
Plane Graveyard in Roswell- hundreds of them!
Monjeau lookout- 10K feet. Sorry its a bit dark. As usual, we forgot a camera and only brought our phones. Hopeless!
Hiking for long time, we are. 
In front of the cabin
Firetrucks on the deck!
Plane Graveyard in Roswell- hundreds of them!
Beautiful flowers, interesting rocks, bark and bugs, but THIS is what we pick up:
We are huge dorks playing with our new IPad.
We are huge dorks playing with our new IPad.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
No great pictures, just a Hal update
Hal is walking. Hooray! Everyday a few steps more.
I put a short video on facebook and haven't taken any quality pictures in a few weeks, so this post is pictureless. And I'd like to narrate about the annoying parent at work today who insisted Greenhill wasn't an "academic" school or even how Eric and I are starting to have microseizures thinking about any home decorating or our water bill, or new adventures in 110 degree weather, but instead I need to write about Hal for his first birthday.
I'm still working on figuring Hal out and, of course, he surprises me everyday with some new revelation of personality or mastered skill. He is a sweet fellow, loves poring over albums of pictures of his family, smiling and pointing at "daddy" most of all. Of course, when daddy comes home, then Hal is shy and mommy is the center of all attention.
He deals with my leaving everyday very well, but never fails to remind me that I was gone all day when I come back- sometimes disagreeable and needy, other times loving and gentle.
Hal loves his trucks, things with wheels, things that move. Everything goes "truckatuckatrucka" when it moves across a surface and Hal especially enjoys when I play alongside with my own truck. He stacks blocks three high but mostly takes the blocks to load onto truck trailers, tractors, etc... and cart around the house. Anything can be carted. Pieces of dog food, pebbles or tiny bits of dust, sippy cups, plastic animals, wipes, clean diapers.
Hal is not a daredevil. He certainly can throw his body about for the sake of a truck hauling up to the couch or along the toilet cover. But Hal is careful and generally concentrates on body position and movement. Thus, he walks when he can concentrate, and is deliberate while stepping and joyful once he plops down, proud of his work.
He is a fickle eater at one. Veggies are often from the Ellas (which he adores) and sneaked into his quesadilla. Eggs are rejected, along with most meats not disguised in the eternal quesadilla. He knows where the snack packs at Starbucks are, which is a bad sign.
I recently went to Whole Foods (its convenient, has free bananas for babies and a better experience with baby ie: faster checkout) than Tom Thumb on a weeknight for milk. And a mother with a beautiful baby Hal's age had him in a grocery cart cover eating organic peas from a cup so daintily. His neat striped jumper had a matching bib.
Hal was leaning forward to take massive bites from a banana I held against the handle of the cart, dressed in a dirty shirt, with banana bits streaming down his face, hands right on the cart, broken cart belt and all. Of course, the mom encouraged her baby to talk to Hal and enunciated a lovely greeting. Hal just vocalized banana bits down his shirt.
Did I mention the Whole Foods mom had just come from her workout? Yeah.
Anyway, Hal takes it all in stride. Easygoing, adjusts quickly, occasional poo-face.
Loves his DVDs. Did I say I would be one of those moms who played a DVD everytime her kids got in the car? Let's pretend I did. Because I am.
Hal loves watching DVDs on the portable player in the car. This has saved our hide many times. He can sit and watch Elmo or Thomas or the old school Sesame Street singalongs for hours. But we confine it only to the car. He works hard on climbing into his carseat in order to watch these DVDs, all facing backward of course.
Hal can point to things in his books, says words when he feels like it- "cat" "moo" etc...
He says "nononono" shaking his head emphatically with such emotion and seriousness bystanders laugh.
And he's still a truly beautiful baby. His face would make you give him a free ice cream if he so much as looks at you. This comes in handy for when he is being a poo-face. Strangers forgive a pretty guy pretty fast. If he flashes you a smile, you're likely to hand over your car keys.
Hal still naps 1-2 x a day, and plays with his trucks in his bed when you put him down. He'll stop to look at you like "and why are you still here?"
At night he loves PEEEEEJAMA time and holds his foot up for socks. We have not been successful with shoes; however, and Hal does enjoy being a nekid bebe. Watching the gas stove and playing on his own in his little playhouse are also favorite activities. If I would let him sit in the heat in the mud and dirt, he would be there for hours, taste testing leaves and rocks.
At restaurants he bends over his high chair to look for "duggggies" and feed them pieces of lima bean or whatever horrifying vegetable I have insulted him with. He is fair when feeding the westies- one at a time, please.
Every gray vehicle that goes by the house is "daddy"- from the toyota Camry Eric drives to the largest grey Landrover. Poor thing gets his hopes up for daddy coming home from work at least 3 times a day.
Dear Hal,
I'm sure when you are a preteen/teenager/crazy guy at some point, I will momentarily forget how precious you are. But then I'll remember, and think about how beautiful and precious and wonderful you are, how you are the best loan from God we could ever hope to share, and how much I treasure where you are right now- full of babyness and exploring spirit, love and delight.
Love,
Your Mom
Dear Lord,
If you could give me the same baby again, I'll take 5. To go. Paper or plastic is fine. Thanks.
I put a short video on facebook and haven't taken any quality pictures in a few weeks, so this post is pictureless. And I'd like to narrate about the annoying parent at work today who insisted Greenhill wasn't an "academic" school or even how Eric and I are starting to have microseizures thinking about any home decorating or our water bill, or new adventures in 110 degree weather, but instead I need to write about Hal for his first birthday.
I'm still working on figuring Hal out and, of course, he surprises me everyday with some new revelation of personality or mastered skill. He is a sweet fellow, loves poring over albums of pictures of his family, smiling and pointing at "daddy" most of all. Of course, when daddy comes home, then Hal is shy and mommy is the center of all attention.
He deals with my leaving everyday very well, but never fails to remind me that I was gone all day when I come back- sometimes disagreeable and needy, other times loving and gentle.
Hal loves his trucks, things with wheels, things that move. Everything goes "truckatuckatrucka" when it moves across a surface and Hal especially enjoys when I play alongside with my own truck. He stacks blocks three high but mostly takes the blocks to load onto truck trailers, tractors, etc... and cart around the house. Anything can be carted. Pieces of dog food, pebbles or tiny bits of dust, sippy cups, plastic animals, wipes, clean diapers.
Hal is not a daredevil. He certainly can throw his body about for the sake of a truck hauling up to the couch or along the toilet cover. But Hal is careful and generally concentrates on body position and movement. Thus, he walks when he can concentrate, and is deliberate while stepping and joyful once he plops down, proud of his work.
He is a fickle eater at one. Veggies are often from the Ellas (which he adores) and sneaked into his quesadilla. Eggs are rejected, along with most meats not disguised in the eternal quesadilla. He knows where the snack packs at Starbucks are, which is a bad sign.
I recently went to Whole Foods (its convenient, has free bananas for babies and a better experience with baby ie: faster checkout) than Tom Thumb on a weeknight for milk. And a mother with a beautiful baby Hal's age had him in a grocery cart cover eating organic peas from a cup so daintily. His neat striped jumper had a matching bib.
Hal was leaning forward to take massive bites from a banana I held against the handle of the cart, dressed in a dirty shirt, with banana bits streaming down his face, hands right on the cart, broken cart belt and all. Of course, the mom encouraged her baby to talk to Hal and enunciated a lovely greeting. Hal just vocalized banana bits down his shirt.
Did I mention the Whole Foods mom had just come from her workout? Yeah.
Anyway, Hal takes it all in stride. Easygoing, adjusts quickly, occasional poo-face.
Loves his DVDs. Did I say I would be one of those moms who played a DVD everytime her kids got in the car? Let's pretend I did. Because I am.
Hal loves watching DVDs on the portable player in the car. This has saved our hide many times. He can sit and watch Elmo or Thomas or the old school Sesame Street singalongs for hours. But we confine it only to the car. He works hard on climbing into his carseat in order to watch these DVDs, all facing backward of course.
Hal can point to things in his books, says words when he feels like it- "cat" "moo" etc...
He says "nononono" shaking his head emphatically with such emotion and seriousness bystanders laugh.
And he's still a truly beautiful baby. His face would make you give him a free ice cream if he so much as looks at you. This comes in handy for when he is being a poo-face. Strangers forgive a pretty guy pretty fast. If he flashes you a smile, you're likely to hand over your car keys.
Hal still naps 1-2 x a day, and plays with his trucks in his bed when you put him down. He'll stop to look at you like "and why are you still here?"
At night he loves PEEEEEJAMA time and holds his foot up for socks. We have not been successful with shoes; however, and Hal does enjoy being a nekid bebe. Watching the gas stove and playing on his own in his little playhouse are also favorite activities. If I would let him sit in the heat in the mud and dirt, he would be there for hours, taste testing leaves and rocks.
At restaurants he bends over his high chair to look for "duggggies" and feed them pieces of lima bean or whatever horrifying vegetable I have insulted him with. He is fair when feeding the westies- one at a time, please.
Every gray vehicle that goes by the house is "daddy"- from the toyota Camry Eric drives to the largest grey Landrover. Poor thing gets his hopes up for daddy coming home from work at least 3 times a day.
Dear Hal,
I'm sure when you are a preteen/teenager/crazy guy at some point, I will momentarily forget how precious you are. But then I'll remember, and think about how beautiful and precious and wonderful you are, how you are the best loan from God we could ever hope to share, and how much I treasure where you are right now- full of babyness and exploring spirit, love and delight.
Love,
Your Mom
Dear Lord,
If you could give me the same baby again, I'll take 5. To go. Paper or plastic is fine. Thanks.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Harvest 2011
Some random photos from our amazing weekend at the farm. Thank you, Brian, for most of the photos!!
Harvest started a few days before we arrived and the crop was beautiful. Sunrise:
Hal in the wheat truck- better than playing with sand!
In front of the combine in his John Deere gear! I got to take a ride in the combine for a few rows with Tom.
In the playhouse with Allie- check out the awesome birthday jumpers Julie made- cowboy theme!
Another combine pic:
Cowgirl Allie!
Check out the icing remnants on his face- gotta play with that truck!
Allie and Lucy- hamming it up.
Play in the house cannot stop for diapers or clothes!
Happy Lucy baby:
Harvest started a few days before we arrived and the crop was beautiful. Sunrise:
Hal in the wheat truck- better than playing with sand!
In front of the combine in his John Deere gear! I got to take a ride in the combine for a few rows with Tom.
In the playhouse with Allie- check out the awesome birthday jumpers Julie made- cowboy theme!
Another combine pic:
Cowgirl Allie!
Check out the icing remnants on his face- gotta play with that truck!
Allie and Lucy- hamming it up.
Play in the house cannot stop for diapers or clothes!
Happy Lucy baby:
We had such a great time- good food, beautiful weather, lots of laughs and reminiscing. Hal loved following Allie around, who had amazing patience for a 2 year old! That being said, we had a look at the mobile, verbal future and are nervous- we have no idea what's coming! Although I don't think Hal will have Allie's four year old vocabulary- what a smart cookie.
Lucy is the sweetest smiley baby around.
I haven't found more good photos for Hal's campfire birthday, but will update when I do.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Birthday!
I only have a few pictures from Dad's camera- hoping to get some more from marmie and poppy later. I wish I had personally documented the decorations- they were alot of work!
But we had a great time collecting the fun wilderness/camping gear. Decorations included a banner, a bear cave and fox hole (ikea tents and tunnels covered in sheets), a campfire, a moss covered hatbox.
Mom and dad made s'mores cupcakes and cookies- which I truly need pictures of- they were beautiful. They also made the baked beans and helped immensely with decorations, watching baby and letting me make a mess of their kitchen.
Smash cake!!
Park Rangers and Hal Ranger
We love you, Hal!
But we had a great time collecting the fun wilderness/camping gear. Decorations included a banner, a bear cave and fox hole (ikea tents and tunnels covered in sheets), a campfire, a moss covered hatbox.
Mom and dad made s'mores cupcakes and cookies- which I truly need pictures of- they were beautiful. They also made the baked beans and helped immensely with decorations, watching baby and letting me make a mess of their kitchen.
Smash cake!!
Park Rangers and Hal Ranger
We love you, Hal! More details about our one- year- old and probably more pictures of the party. Thank you to everyone who came- we had a fantastic time. And are really tired. Really. No nap Hal is going to need several days to recover!
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